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arianna huffington
November 2009 
Obama Wins: Why All Americans Have A Reason To Celebrate
Posted on Nov 5th, 2008
by 
Albert
Albert
This article from Arianna Huffington summarizes it best what the essence of Baracks Victory is. I can only assure this is true for Europeans view too. Its celebrated here as its possibility was celebrated and appreciated already long ago.
My own choice for Barack goes back 2 years now. At a moment for most dems had focused strongly on Hillary and reps did not see him even on the radar screen. "Emotionally)
Today: congratulations to America and joy for the world!
Why All Americans Have A Reason To Celebrate
Even if your candidate didn't win tonight, you have reason to celebrate. We all do.
Ten months ago, when Obama won in Iowa, we had a glimpse of what was possible and what became real tonight. What I wrote then about one state is now true for the whole country:
Barack Obama's impressive victory says a lot about America, and also about the current mindset of the American voter.
Because tonight voters decided that they didn't want to look back. They wanted to step into the future -- as if a country exhausted by the last seven-plus years wanted to recapture its youth.
And they turned out in unprecedented numbers today to make sure that no amount of scrubbed rolls, malfunctioning machines, endless lines, or polling places running out of ballots would block the way.
The history of America is studded with great breakthroughs -- propelled by leaders such as Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, and Martin Luther King - followed by decades of consolidation and occasional regression.
The Bush years have clearly been in a period of regression. The repudiation of those years is now almost universal. Even conservatives are admitting it; over the course of today, I've received numerous emails from conservatives ending with some variation on "Go Obama!"
In America's journey toward a more just and truly democratic society, tonight is another milestone. And not just because the son of a Kenyan father and a mother from Kansas is now President-Elect. But also because tonight's outcome is a declaration that we are once again a nation more driven by hope and promise than a nation driven by fear.
Bush's re-election in 2004 was a monument to the power of fear. And McCain, his staff stocked with Karl Rove disciples, followed the Bush blueprint and played the fear card again and again.
Be afraid of Obama, the GOP warned us. Be afraid of something new, something different. He would meet with our enemies. His middle name is Hussein. He "pals around with terrorists," consorts with the radicals at Acorn (which is "destroying the fabric of democracy"), and doesn't see America "like you and I see America." A vote for Obama would be "dangerous" and "too risky for America."
Read more...
My own choice for Barack goes back 2 years now. At a moment for most dems had focused strongly on Hillary and reps did not see him even on the radar screen. "Emotionally)
Today: congratulations to America and joy for the world!
Why All Americans Have A Reason To Celebrate
Even if your candidate didn't win tonight, you have reason to celebrate. We all do.
Ten months ago, when Obama won in Iowa, we had a glimpse of what was possible and what became real tonight. What I wrote then about one state is now true for the whole country:
Barack Obama's impressive victory says a lot about America, and also about the current mindset of the American voter.
Because tonight voters decided that they didn't want to look back. They wanted to step into the future -- as if a country exhausted by the last seven-plus years wanted to recapture its youth.
And they turned out in unprecedented numbers today to make sure that no amount of scrubbed rolls, malfunctioning machines, endless lines, or polling places running out of ballots would block the way.
The history of America is studded with great breakthroughs -- propelled by leaders such as Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, and Martin Luther King - followed by decades of consolidation and occasional regression.
The Bush years have clearly been in a period of regression. The repudiation of those years is now almost universal. Even conservatives are admitting it; over the course of today, I've received numerous emails from conservatives ending with some variation on "Go Obama!"
In America's journey toward a more just and truly democratic society, tonight is another milestone. And not just because the son of a Kenyan father and a mother from Kansas is now President-Elect. But also because tonight's outcome is a declaration that we are once again a nation more driven by hope and promise than a nation driven by fear.
Bush's re-election in 2004 was a monument to the power of fear. And McCain, his staff stocked with Karl Rove disciples, followed the Bush blueprint and played the fear card again and again.
Be afraid of Obama, the GOP warned us. Be afraid of something new, something different. He would meet with our enemies. His middle name is Hussein. He "pals around with terrorists," consorts with the radicals at Acorn (which is "destroying the fabric of democracy"), and doesn't see America "like you and I see America." A vote for Obama would be "dangerous" and "too risky for America."
Read more...
Access: PublicTagged with: Barack Obama, Arianna Huffington
Memorable Carpe Punctum that is for Barack and all of us as we seize not only the day but the opportunity for true changes in & out.
Michelle's words seems to capture the post-election intentions, needs & realities very well:”“Barack Obama will require that you work,” she said at a rally on the eve of Super Tuesday. “He is going to demand that you shed your cynicism; that you put down your divisions; that you come out of your isolation; that you move out of your comfort zones; that you push yourself to be better; and that you engage.”
Let's DO/Be that for YES WE CAN. Each & everyone. Everywhere. Here & now.
A very concise AND necessary call from Michelle! Tough love in action. On a personal level as much as in collective action. Inside as much as outside.
Thanks Darina for this quote!
Carpe punctum, like this word.):)
Enjoyed your posting, Albert. I've found myself smiling almost the entire day today, remembering Barack's speech last night, wondering at the new lightness of being I'm seeing in everyone's spirit today. What an amazing moment to be alive!
Yes, a defining moment. Maybe a new axis time in history or jump time as Jean Houston is saying.
Your pod is reflecting the upcoming work we all are facing now.
Barack himself does not make vacation now. He is working nonstop…
Albert,
I posted this on Jeannie's blog:
“A friend of mine from France wrote to me within minutes of Obama's victory: “This is why, in spite of all that has happened over the years, the world still largely, and sometimes secretly, loves America. Congratulations on showing us that true democracy can and does work. Today, I too am proudly an American. We all are and we love you.””
I wonder how many of us in the US will stay up half the night watching election returns in Europe. Maybe some will now.
Thanks,
Albert
One of the most inspiring observations is the way the world celebrated Obama winning the election and the new breath of life the US feels in the air. With fresh feelings and vision, many obstacles can be overcome that could not be overcome with the previous stale air and bitter feelings that pervaded many.
Two points in his speech really stood out for me: that regardless if one voted for him or not, he would work for them and needed them; and, that while winning the election was wonderful, to remember that there was much work now to be done. He seemed genuine and grounded, not full of the pomp and circumstance we'd come to expect from politicians. I also like how he doesn't try to sugar coat anything. He isn't hiding that we won't all agree; he's saying let's work together anyway. Whether we agree with all of his policies or not, how can one disagree with the new feeling that anything is possible! “Yes we can” is the best phrase :)
Hmm… perhaps I've been too skeptical of Obama. McCain's manipulations seemed a little too obvious. It made me wonder if there were some deeper reason for them being so apparent. I also saw part of a nasty debate in which Obama called Ron Paul crazy and a conspiracy theorist, so that did kinda raise my suspicions about him…
I like a lot of Ron Paul's ideas and how he's rather transparent when it comes to the inner workings of Washington, but I guess that doesn't mean everyone else is a bad guy or deceptive. =P
I do think Obama's victory is a step in the right direction though. It is America's voice being heard and the change towards a new direction. I've recently learned about the power of intent and manifesting dreams/desires. For some reason I think I kinda forgot to apply that to this election. There is great symbolism behind the whole thing and I'm not bummed he won.
Albert,
exactly!
I explored the reasons for this European phenomenon you describe repeatedly at Gaia/Zaadz.
This the power of the American Dream The European Dream is just awakening.
I have seen some TV rounds now in German speaking countries. SPIEGEL ONLINE is already asking:
Where is our Obama?:):)
Let me focus for a moment on Germany:
As long as honest enthusiasm, courage for great visions -free of cynism as much as relativism and skepticism -isnt honored and appreciated it will not work.
We have it in sports, film entertainment and music. So to speak the more nonverbal areas.
The big trauma of WW 2 isnt abolished quite.
So this part of the pioneering work here. It has begun already. And I will increase my own efforts. Embedding it all in global perspectives. it has to be shouted from the top of the roofs:
A new Germany is needed!
(Cannot even translate it directly into German as it IMMEDIATELY would be misunderstood…)
Thanks Albert for sharing this observation. You are on spot!
Erin,
we spoke lots of times about emrgence and connectivity of feelings too. The personal and collective dreams.
Barack Obama is personal evidence that in spite of collaboration , networking and new technology of all kind personal examples, personal embodiment of new qualties is decisive.
One has to give ones body, emotions, thoughts, dreams and yearnigns to a vision. Risking this! this can be dangerous too. But without putting ones sanity into risk and dedicating a life, nothing can move.
Especially Europeans have to learn this lesson in a new way.
Kyle,
speaking from Europe I see indeed lots of conspiracy thinking in Ron Paul.
One of Baracks strength is to create a transpartisan comunication landscape.
He did on a long odysse which lasted at least 10 years.
i do not subscribe to ANY conspiracy approach I know. And I know dozens.
Its always rewarding to inject consciousness and transparency into conspircy thinking itself.
Baracks life is living demonstration how this could be overcome.
Albert, yes, and I think if any human being can inspire the US, and the world, to say a mantra of Yes We Can in their hearts and souls, the people will more realize they can fly those risky Danger Zones!
Yet, I know a lot of work remains to be done…though it might feel less like drudgery for some? It is like the sky has opened wide :)
I was reading comments from leaders around the world and their thoughts on the election. While nothing is magic overnight, it felt good to read their words as they seemed more sincere and open than compulsory congratulations.
It reminds me of when the wall in Berlin came down. I still remember the intense thrill of freedom and significance the very moment I heard that news. It feels like that deep of a shift in the world, at least! :)
Erin:
YES, WE CAN!
Even if your candidate didn't win tonight, you have reason to celebrate. We all do. Ten months ago when Obama won in Iowa, we had a glimpse of what was possible, and what became real to night. Barack Obama's impressive victory says a lot about America, and also about the current mindset of the American voter.
==================
fchris
http://www.widecircles.com
fchris6,
indeed this increasing momentum within less a year is most remarkable. And anylysis ot it will be revealing in many ways.
Now, after the poetry of elections the prose of hard poltical work for change starts.
And most fascinating for next years will be to transform this election momentum into sustainable work too.
In foreign policy now global leadership and planetary collaboration in a multipolar world is the challenge.
Next years elections in Germany and UK will come. European leaders and politics can co-create with US new transatlantic partnership.
It all has begun already.